Premier League Team of the Week: Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea All Miss Out
By (Correspondent) on October 19, 2010
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Mersyside Derby was the big match last weekend
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The Premier League crawled to a halt after what can only be described as a snore draw, between Blackburn and Sunderland.
Despite the final game of the weekend the EPL was treated yet again to some fine football, and as always plenty of talking points.
The biggest was Liverpool falling to second from the bottom, after suffering a terrible defeat to local rivals Everton.
Just as big as that was Manchester United throwing away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with West Brom. The omission of Wayne Rooney from the starting line-up was another talking point.
The weekend was kindest to Arsenal and Man City who both made ground on Chelsea after narrowing winning their respected games.
Aston Villa earned a point against the current league leaders, while Wigan threw away three points conceding very late against Newcastle.
GK: Brad Friedal - Aston Villa
Aston Villa's number had another strong performance
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Brad Friedal has been without doubt the best player Aston Villa have had this season.
Another fine display from him helped his side earn a point against Chelsea, although his post did help him out.
He had somewhat of an easy first half, but had to show awareness and reserve when he was called into action against both Florent Malouda and Nikolas Anelka.
Right Back: Seamus Coleman - Everton
Coleman will earn his first cap very soon for the Republic
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You couldn't ask for a better display from a young full-back in his first Mersyside derby.
Everton's young right back Seamus Coleman put in a terrific performance. He prevented anything from working down the right for Liverpool.
He and Phillip Neville took turns playing right midfield and right back, which worked very well for the Toffees.
Some key challenges, a great run at the heart of the Liverpool defense to create the first goal, and Everton never looked back after that.
Centre Back: James Collins - Aston Villa
Collins made the loss of Richard Dunne obsolete for Villa
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James Collins stepped up for his team when it looked like they may have struggled at the back due to the loss of Richard Dunne.
He prevented anything going goalward in the first half, and was in the thick of things in the second to help his keeper out when needed.
He was also a presence in the Chelsea box and narrowly missed getting his name on the scoresheet.
Centre Back: Jonas Olsson - West Brom
Olsson was one of the main reasons WBA got a point
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Jonas Olsson put in a great shift for his team in a game that many expected West Brom to lose, and many anticipated was over after 20 minutes.
Olsson made a key interception on Berbatov to prevent what would have been a sure goal for United.
He was also in the heart of the bundle that lead to Evra's own goal, and the beginning of United's decline.
Left Back: Rafael Da Silva - Manchester United
Which one is this? Oh yeah just double check the number
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Before anything is said I am fully aware that Rafael is a right back, but there was no left back performances that really merited a place on the team this week, whereas Rafael performed his duty and more in somewhat of a failed effort by United.
Rafael worked endlessly to defend the right side and did it very well, the majority of WBA attacks came against Evra.
Rafael was also a constant danger in attack and asked questions of the WBA defense.
Right Midfield: Nani - Manchester United
Relishing his play in the wake of the Ronaldo era
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Nani has came into his own since the departure of Ronaldo, and he showed it yet again against West Brom.
Nani crucified Shorey all game long and pounced on errors to United's benefit.
He smashed a free-kick into the WBA keeper which lead to an easy tap in for Javier Hernandez. He also had a nice one-two with Berbatov to get his name on the scoresheet.
Centre Midfield: Mikel Arteta - Everton
Arteta ran the show for Everton
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Mikel Arteta was without doubt the difference between Liverpool and Everton in there Mersyside clash.
Arteta was creating everything for Everton going forward and was also breaking up most of Liverpool's chances.
Arteta controlled the ball and Steven Gerrard for the entire game. Gerrard could begin anything for Liverpool as Arteta was snapping at his heels.
He also showed great composure and finishing by thumping the second goal in from outside the box.
Centre Midfield: Charlie Adam - Blackpool
Adam was a different class against Manchester City and should not have been on a losing team
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Blackpool will be doing well to hold onto Charlie Adam. He showed a skill set that many would not associate with Blackpool.
Adam was the puppet master of the Blackpool team and strung passes around perfectly. Each and every one made City sweat about what may turn into a good goal scoring chance.
He also peppered some decent shots at Joe Hart and tested City all game long.
Left Midfield: David Silva - Manchester City
Villa scored the goal of the weekend
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It is very rare that a substitution can impact a game in such a manner that they'll make the team of the week, but that is exactly what David Silva did against Blackpool.
He entered the fray in the second-half and turned the game on it's head.
Villa set up Tevez nicely to slot one home—it may have been offside, but Villa still did his part.
He then went on to win the game for City in the last part of the game with an absolutely stunning goal, tearing the Blackpool defense apart.
Attacking Midfield: Charles N'Zogbia - Wigan
Charles made an impact against his old club
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It is not hard to see why so many teams were in the mix for N'Zogbia in the summer.
Charles went up against his old club Newcastle, and he made them hurt. N'Zobia played strongly for the whole 89 minutes he was on the pitch.
He was a constant danger for the Newcastle defense, and made them pay twice with two very well struck goals.
But of course, Wigan's defense let them down
Striker: Carlos Tevez - Macnhester City
Tevez is becoming Man City's only scoring striker
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It is not hard to see why Tevez became an instant fan favorite at Eastlands.
Tevez worked hard all game long, and it paid off with two goals for the Argentine. Whether the goals should have been ruled out or not is not for debate here.
The fact remains he scored two goals for his team and earned them the three pionts that shot them into second.
Hard work, graft and tackling is what makes Tevez a great striker and a City legend already.
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